Protecting the Princess

by Carla Cassidy

  For moment Tanner thought she might burst into tears, but instead she pulled herself out of the car and with the dignity he’d come to expect from her, walked toward the house, flanked by the two older men.

  Tanner saw with satisfaction that the house was surrounded by armed men. He’d arranged for additional men that morning, taking no chance that they wouldn’t be prepared for another attack of some kind.

  The air still held the faint tinge of smoke, a reminder of just how close he’d come to losing her last night. He was about to follow them inside when Zack called to him.

  He and Zack had really not spoken much at all since the day Zack had returned from his assignment and as Zack approached him, Tanner felt his heart constrict with emotions too great to bear.

  “You doing okay?” Zack asked. There was still a haunted look in his eyes and again Tanner wondered what had happened between his brother and the client who had been killed.

  “I’m fine. What about you? We haven’t really had a chance to talk.”

  Zack looked off in the distance, a frown creasing his forehead. “I love you, Tanner, but you aren’t always the easiest man in the world to talk to.”

  Tanner shoved his hands into his pockets and sucked in a deep breath. “Why is that?”

  Zack looked at him once again. “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because I get the feeling you never allow yourself to get personally involved in any situation. You don’t give much of yourself and that makes it hard for anyone to want to give to you.”

  “I’m sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say.

  Zack shrugged. “It’s all right.” He paused a long moment but Tanner had the feeling he wasn’t finished speaking yet. “You look at her differently than I’ve ever seen you look at anyone.” The words were soft and once again Zack averted his gaze from his brother’s. “She looks at you the same way.”

  A knot formed in Tanner’s chest. He wanted to protest, to tell his brother that he was mistaken, but he knew he’d only sound the fool. “She’s leaving tomorrow.” The knot expanded in his chest. “Her father’s due to arrive sometime tomorrow morning.”

  “That’s what I heard. How do you feel about that?”

  Feel? How did he feel about it? He’d spent every moment since the phone call from King Bjorn trying not to think about it, not to feel at all. “It’s time,” he replied succinctly.

  For a moment the two brothers remained side by side, staring off in the distance where Tanner’s house was nothing more than a rubble of still smoldering ash and concrete.

  “Did you love her?” Tanner asked abruptly.

  Zack flashed him a quick glance, then returned his gaze to the distance. “Not like a lover. I loved her but not in a romantic way.” He took a tremulous deep breath. “We became close as friends. Melissa was a wonderful woman and so easy to talk to. She told me about the heartache of her marriage and I found myself telling her all about my relationship with Jamie.”

  Jamie Coffer was a young woman Zack had dated nearly two years before. Everyone had just assumed the two of them would be married, but Jamie had left town and within months had married another man.

  Tanner had no idea what had caused the breakup and until this moment hadn’t realized that apparently the whole thing had left some deep scars on Zack’s heart.

  “I’m sorry, Zack.” Zack turned to look at him once again. “I’m sorry if I haven’t been the brother you needed.” The words came with difficulty, but he knew they were words that needed to be said. “I always wanted to be there for you, for you and all the rest of us kids.”

  “I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, brother, but we’re all grown up now. Maybe you need to ease up a little and figure out where you’re going in your life.”

  Tanner frowned, realizing that Zack’s words almost echoed what Anna had said to him the night before. Where was he going with his life? He was thirty-five years old and even though he’d told himself over and over again that he eventually wanted a wife and a family, he’d done nothing to take steps to achieve that particular goal.

  “I’d better get inside to check on her highness,” he finally said.

  “Just one thing to think about,” Zack said. “I think I’d rather take a chance at getting my heart broken than live the rest of my life with regrets. What about you?”

  Tanner didn’t reply, knew his brother expected no reply. Instead he turned and went into the house. Life seemed to have turned upside down.

  Smokey was making herbal tea and his thirty-one-year-old brother seemed to be trying to give him advice. For the first time in his life Tanner felt as if he’d lost control and it scared him.

  He found his father and Smokey in the kitchen with Anna, who was seated at the table, a cup of tea in front of her. Her face was pale, her eyes lifeless as she stared listlessly out the window.

  Was it the trauma of the night’s events that had sucked all the life, all the energy, from her? Or was it him? Surely it was the fact that she’d nearly lost her life to smoke inhalation and nothing more.

  “I made some soup and sandwiches for lunch,” Smokey said. “I figured we’d eat informally right here.”

  Another surprise. Smokey usually insisted on eating properly in the dining room. The old man smiled at Anna. “I made some special chicken soup. Nothing better for a sore throat no matter what made it sore in the first place.”

  Special tea…special soup. It appeared Anna had made an indelible mark on the heart of Smokey. Amazing, Tanner thought as he sat across from her at the table. How had a princess who had been in the house only a mere week managed to affect each and every person who lived here?

  “I hate to be the bearer of more bad news,” Red said as they began to eat lunch.

  “What bad news?” Tanner asked.

  “I heard that Gray Sampson died this morning.”

  Shock swept through Tanner. “How? What happened?”

  “Seems he got thrown from his horse, hit his head on a rock and was killed.”

  “Damn, that’s the second accidental death in the last couple of months.” Tanner frowned. Two months ago Joe Wainfield had been killed in his field in a freak tractor accident.

  “This Gray Sampson, he was a friend of yours?” Anna’s features radiated concern as she gazed at him.

  “He lives on a ranch on the north side of town. He was a respected rancher.” Tanner looked down at his plate. He didn’t want to see that caring in her eyes, that empathetic softness that threatened to pull him in.

  She’d be gone tomorrow, Tanner told himself as he ate. Then everything would get back to normal. He could get back to normal.

  He needed to get back to the office, back to working long days so the nights seemed shorter. He needed to get back to focusing solely on the business, so there wouldn’t be time to recognize and acknowledge his loneliness.

  He was grateful when the meal was over and Anna retreated to her room for a nap. Red headed for the front door and Tanner remained at the kitchen table watching while Smokey cleared the dishes from lunch.

  “You look like you sat on a thornbush,” Smokey observed as he grabbed the plates in front of Tanner. “Something wrong?”

  “Just wondering if the danger is over.”

  “Even if it’s not, you’ve got enough men stationed around the house to stop any kind of attack that might come,” Smokey said. “Besides, from what I heard, one of the half-dozen men Jim arrested last night is singing, and his tune is that there was just their team sent to assassinate the king and Anna.”

  “I hope he is singing a song of truth,” Tanner replied dryly. “I won’t relax until Anna and her father are far, far away from here.” He stood. “I’ve got some work to do in the office. I’ll be in there if anyone needs anything.”

  Smokey grunted and Tanner left the kitchen. As he sank down at the desk in the office, he felt a comforting familiarity wash over him. This was where he belonged, taking care of business, not thinking about the woman in the bedroom
who had momentarily twisted his world upside down.

  Within twenty-four hours she’d be gone and he tried to tell himself that was a good thing.

  Chapter 14

  Anna stood at her bedroom window for a last goodbye to the place where she’d come to love. The sun was just rising, painting the landscape in lush tones of pinks and oranges.

  Although she was eager to see her father, her eagerness was tempered with the overwhelming grief that after today she would never see Tanner again. After today she’d never see his frowns, or the beauty of his smiles. She’d never again hear his smooth deep voice. She’d never again taste the passion of his kisses.

  In her twenty-five years she’d dated enough men to recognize the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with—the man who didn’t want to spend his life with her.

  Sleep had been elusive the night before. She’d tossed and turned, playing and replaying every moment she’d spent with Tanner. What she’d wanted to do was to sneak into his bedroom to make love with him one final time before they parted forever, but she’d been afraid that if she did that she’d never recover. It was difficult enough as it was.

  She’d already packed what little she would take with her. She was taking only her small overnight bag, her red boots and the pair of jeans and T-shirt that she wore. The rest of the things Tanner had bought for her she was leaving behind…along with her heart.

  “Anna, it’s time to go.” Tanner’s voice spoke from the doorway.

  She stood reluctantly and carried the overnight bag into the living room, dropped it on the floor, then went into the kitchen where Red and Smokey sat at the table.

  “I want to thank you for your hospitality,” she said to Red. “Thank you for opening your home to me during this difficult time.”

  Red jumped up out of his chair and took her hand in his. “It’s been an honor, Anna. I’d forgotten how nice it was to have a female presence in the house.” He dropped her hand with a sad smile.

  She went over to where Smokey sat, looking as grumpy as she’d ever seen him. She didn’t let his crabby look stop her from planting a fond kiss on his forehead. “Thank you, Smokey.”

  “For what?” He snorted. “I didn’t do nothing special. I wouldn’t even change your sheets on your bed for you.”

  She smiled at him, her heart feeling as if it was far too big for her chest. “You’ll never know what you did for me.” She looked at Red. “Neither of you will ever know just how much you have given me in the time I’ve been here.” She felt tears burning too close to the surface. She swallowed hard against them.

  “I just hope you find what you’re looking for,” Smokey said softly.

  I did, she wanted to say. I did, but it didn’t work out.

  “We need to go,” Tanner said, his voice tense.

  Three guards awaited her on the porch and they surrounded her as she and Tanner made their way to his pickup truck.

  She shouldn’t be thinking of this as the end of something, but rather as the beginning…the beginning of a new life for her.

  She should be excited and eagerly anticipating what the future might bring. But as she slid into the passenger seat her heart didn’t feel the anticipation of new beginnings. It felt only the pain of the ending of something wonderful…magical.

  As Tanner got behind the steering wheel, he checked his watch. “We’re to meet your father in thirty minutes.” He waited for a car to pull in front of him and behind him. Apparently he was still taking her safety very seriously.

  “There was no way we could have your father meet us at the ranch,” he said once they were on their way. “This location has been compromised. The convenience store where we’re meeting him is off the beaten path and I’ve already sent three men ahead to secure the location before we arrive. I’m sure you’re eager to see your father again.”

  She nodded, too heart weary to summon any kind of reply. Yes, she’d be glad to see her father again, but she wasn’t returning to Niflheim anytime in the near future even if the unrest there was resolved. She couldn’t return to the place that had never really been her home, a lifestyle that had only deepened the ache in her heart.

  If she was certain about anything, it was that her future didn’t include Niflheim.

  They spent the rest of the short journey in silence. Anna felt too sick to speak, knowing that each and every mile took her closer to her final goodbye to Tanner.

  They arrived at the convenience store ahead of King Bjorn. Tanner’s men were already there, stationed around the perimeter. Anna unfastened her seat belt and realized she wanted to say goodbye to Tanner here and now, while they were alone.

  “Tanner.”

  He turned to face her with those beautiful dark green eyes and those strong, stern features that she’d grown to love. The corner of his mouth twitched, and with that slight tick of vulnerability she found the words she wanted, needed to say.

  “I love you, Tanner. I won’t say it again, because I’ve said it enough that I’d hoped you’d believe the words. But, there is something I want to tell you. During some talks with Smokey I was introduced to a very special woman.”

  He frowned with obvious confusion. “I don’t understand.”

  She leaned toward him and saw the corner of his mouth twitch once again. “Smokey told me about a lovely woman, a strong woman who had the world by the tail. She might have become wealthy, she might have married royalty and become a princess or even a queen. She might have done all kinds of things to bring herself wealth and adulation, but she chose to marry the man she loved and have his children. Smokey told me about your mother, Tanner, and that’s the kind of woman I hope to be.”

  There was a flash of genuine pain in his eyes. “Anna, for God’s sake, don’t make this any more difficult than it already is.”

  She leaned even closer and could smell him, that familiar scent of sunshine and wind, of faint cologne and male. God help her, but it smelled like home.

  “I just needed to tell you one last thing,” she continued. “If you don’t love me, then you’re doing the right thing by allowing me to leave here. But if you do love me, it would be a tragic mistake on your part to let me go.”

  At that moment two cars approached the convenience store and Anna knew her father had arrived. It was time to go.

  The two cars pulled to a halt. The first men out of the car were armed and obviously there for protection. The third man out was Anna’s father.

  King Bjorn Johansson was a big man. Standing well over six feet tall, he had a broad girth that spoke of good living. Despite his large size, he carried himself with a regal grace and a commanding dignity.

  Anna got out of Tanner’s truck and flew to her father’s arms, vaguely aware of another imposing man getting out of her father’s car.

  “Ah, my dear. I knew Mr. West would take good care of you,” he said as he released her. “He’s a man like his father.” He smiled over her head at Tanner.

  Tanner returned the smile with a respectful bow. “It will take years for me to be the man my father is.”

  “I understand there was trouble last night and you lost your home.”

  Anna felt herself lost as her father focused all his attention on Tanner. Her resolve to make a future all her own grew. She adored her father, but would she always be dismissed by him as something pretty and frivolous?

  “A little trouble and nothing that insurance won’t cover,” Tanner replied as he gestured for the king to move inside the store. He wasn’t comfortable standing out in the open despite the guards that surrounded them.

  “Mr. West, may I introduce you to General Jorge Hauptman,” King Bjorn said once they were inside the store. He gestured to the dignified man standing just behind him.

  Anna watched as Tanner and general Hauptman shook hands. “Father, what is the news from Niflheim?” she asked.

  “At this moment General Hauptman’s troops are attempting to wrest control of the palace from the rebel forces who hold it.
”

  “And you expect this to be successful?” Anna asked. Even though she had no intention of returning, her heart ached with the divisiveness that had ripped apart the small country.

  General Hauptman nodded. “John Swenson and his Brotherhood of the Mist used surprise and an alarming lack of security to overwhelm the palace, much like what the terrorists did here in your country on 9/11. But the Brotherhood of the Mist is a small, rather disorganized group. We hope to have the palace back in our control by nightfall.”

  King Bjorn looked at Tanner. “General Hauptman and I have been at odds in the past. But he has agreed to work with me in a strong, unified front.”

  “Certainly the danger has not passed and will not be over even when we gain control of the palace,” Hauptman added.

  “But it’s my country,” King Bjorn said passionately. “And no matter what the dangers, it is where I belong.”

  “What about the men who were arrested here last night?” Tanner asked.

  “They will be transported back to Niflheim to stand trail for treason. Unfortunately we have no way of knowing if there are others in the country. I would hope that after today you and your family will be safe.”

  “It’s Anna’s safety I’m concerned about,” Tanner replied, but he kept his gaze focused on the king and not on Anna.

  “Anna will have all the bodyguards she needs to assure her safety in Niflheim,” he said. “As I said before, we’re quite aware that dangerous times lie ahead and we will take the necessary precautions to ward off tragedy. We will not be caught unaware and unprepared again.”

  Anna said nothing, aware that now wasn’t the time to tell her father that she had very different plans for herself. She had no intention of returning to Niflheim and living with armed guards.” Surely a princess could find obscurity and happiness in the United States.

  “And now we must be on our way,” King Bjorn said.

  “We have a flight to catch this afternoon and many plans to make in the meantime.” He held out his hand to Tanner.

  Anna watched the two men in her life shake hands, and again tears threatened to fall. Tanner—her heart cried—I don’t want to say goodbye!